Expert: Data Management Plays Critical Role in National Security

Emma Okonji

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Berkeley Data Strategists, Mr. Adetokunbo Ajibola, has stressed the need for governments to adopt data management to address its national security challenges in the country.

According to him, effective data management allows for the efficient collection, storage, and analysis of intelligence.

This, he said, could include information from various sources such as surveillance, communications intercepts, and open-source data. Proper management of this data is essential for identifying threats, understanding enemy capabilities, and making informed strategic decisions.

Ajibola said data management would be crucial in counterterrorism operations, and would enable the integration and analysis of vast amounts of data to track and prevent terrorist activities, identify networks, and understand their patterns and plans.

“That in an era where cyber threats are increasingly prevalent, robust data management systems are necessary for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyber-attacks. This involves managing a large volume of data related to network traffic, threat intelligence, and incident response,” Ajibola said.

He however maintained that managing data effectively aids in monitoring and controlling national borders. This includes processing and analyzing information related to travelers, cargo, and potential threats.

Ajibola stressed that for technological advancements, and the ability to manage and exploit emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Big Data analytics for national security purposes, would lead to robust data management practices.

He maintained that data management remained indispensable for national security, facilitating informed decision-making, efficient operations, and effective response to threats, while ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.